FIRE-FIGHTING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14357, 29 October 1908, Page 7

FIRE-FIGHTING.

A SUPERINTENDENT'S RETIREMENT. (Faou Our OIYM CoßnKsrosDr.sT.) CHRISTCHURCH, October 28. Superintendent Smith, who is retiring from the Fire Brigade after 30 years' service, including 13 as superintendent, began his connection with (ires at a very early age, for as a child in .Birmingham he was rescued from a fire in his father's house, being carried down three flights of stairs by his mother. When he first joined the Christchurch Brigade in lb/8 they had to depend a great deal on the manual for fire-fighting purposes, and had to rely on any horses that they could lay their hands on, as, for instance, calj horses, to drag the iijanual. Then came the. era of (he chemical engine. The Christchurch Brigade was the first to take these machines tip, and the "Pioneer," the first chemical engine introduced into the Australasian colonies, is still in commission at Sydenham, and almost as good as the first day it landed in the city. Then after the utility of the "Pioneer" had been proved, the brigade, out of funds from brigade demonstrations, purchased the chemical known as the " Belt-ana," from the fact that it was by its aid that a fire in the cargo of a wool ship of that name was got under at Lytteltpn. The success, of chemical engines in Christchurch ultimately led to their adoption by brigades throughoutAustralasia. The most recent development has been the introduction of tho motor chemical, which has been in use here for two years. So satisfied is the Fire Board with it that it ordered another one more than double its size and of 30 horse-power. Jl should arrive in a ilny or two. nn;J will lie (Uleu up in this city with ladders and other appliances for (ire-fi»hting. Later the board intends going in for a motor pinup to replace the urescnt steamers. Christchurch will then, in Mr Smith's opinion, have the finest lire-fighting plant in any city of Australasia of its size.